Two suggestions from a wannabe welder... I went from wildly dangerous to predictably bad following the addition of a decent self-darkening helmet. I would not recommend that anyone try to learn to weld without one.

Following that it's simple practice/ The more you do the better you'll get.

The flux spatter is bad, but for the occaisional user/learner I don't think the expense is worth upgrading to gas (basically doubles the price of your rig).

But I think that buying a name brand (readily available parts) that is upgradable to gas is worth the additional investment. I was able to find a used name brand upgradable unit for the same price as a new no-name rig.

It will take me some time before my skills exceed the machine's capabilities.

I've never liked flux core wire. One of the reasons to use mig it to avoid cleanup, chipping splatter etc. the mess that flux leaves. May as well just use a stick welder with small rod.If I were going to buy a mig welder I would at least make sure it is upgradeable to gas at a later date. I know the bottle is expensive but it is just a 1 time expense and man what a difference.They can also be leased from most welding supply's. If your going to learn you might as well learn right.

Matt, I did most of mine with a Lincoln wire welder, but later got the gas attachment. For nice clean welds I like the gas,but the wire works well too. You can put duct tape on both sides of the weld, saves a lot clean up. If you are doing sheet metal, I found if you keep a pair of side cutters handy you can cut the tip to a sharp point, then do a bunch of stitch welds. You won't over heat or warp the metal. Takes a little longer, but gives nice results. If I am trying to fix some rusty crap out in the wind, the wire still works better. Can't beat the gas for sheet metal.

I find myself using mine every once in a while. For example, the kids old Tonka trucks. The dump broke loose on one, weld it up! My trailer got a crack in it, took it out the other day and welded it! Saved me from thowing the Tonka truck out and saved me from having to find someone to weld my trailer. Along with everything else I have used it on. I do understand, some people NEVER use a welder again after a project.

I had one of those HF auto helmets. I had it for about 6 months and then finally drop-kicked it out the door. I got a Miller Elite helmet and it is in a whole different class. The question isn't, why did I spend $280 on a helmet. The question is, why did I waste $50 and 6 months with that peace of sh** HF.

I would hardily agree with buying the MIG, even if you don't buy the bottle. You can always sell the MIG, because half the buyers are looking to upgrade from a wire-only unit.

I have both a HF auto Darkening helmet and an old Jackson fitted with a #11 shield. While the auto darkening feature is nice, being able to see your work piece when the torch is lit is a better feature. I find the the HF auto darkening helmet is way to dark once you strike an arc even on the lowest setting all I see is the arc, with the Jackson with the #11 shield I can see the edges of the two pieces I'm trying to weld, makes for much cleaner welds and more uniform welds. IMHO I had a flux rig for a breif period of time but like you I could not get past the spatter, I've since gone with a gas rig and couldn't be happier.

OK, so I need to get a auto-dark helmet 'cause I can't see squat with the regular one. I don't have a lot of $$ to spend, where can I get a reasonable one at a decent price? Harbor freight? e-Bay? Home depot?

If you really want to see, get a good helmet. I can see the weld puddle so much better with the Miller helmet.I found that the HF would flicker betwen too dark or too light. I don't know if it was as much of a problem with a MIG as I only used the HF a couple of times on a MIG. I have a Lincoln 185 TIG and the HF was always flickering. No more of that now.

In out-of-position welding, The BIG window lets you see without moving your head as much.

I've always welded oxy/acetylene without(corrective) glasses even though they fit inside the goggles I have. I've always had trouble seeing with a fixed, arc welding helmet and with the HF it was worse. I tried the corrective helmet lenses in the HF, but because they are not made for them, you have to tape them it place. Even so, I couldn't see well enough with them. With the Miller, I do not use glasses or the corrective lens and I can see just fine. The Miller can use the corrective lens, but I haven't ever taken the time to try them.